Clamping device for vacuum tube apparatus



y 1949. B. M. HARRISON 2,474,976

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR VACUUM TUBE APPARATUS Filed Dec. 28, 1944 14 I "Itl' 2 n I u I5 0 4 9 FIG.|

FIG.2

F|G.3 FIG.4 FIG.5

INVENTOR.

BERTRAM M. HARRISON BY ,4, 4 r

HIS ATTORNE Patented J ly 949 W DEVICE I'OB VACUUM TUBE APPARATUS I llertrammlarrlsomwellesleylilialass asasslgnmen lm, W

tatoiulunarine corporation Signal Company. Boston, Mala. a

of Delaware Application December 28, 1944, Serial No. Him

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to vacuum tube apparatus, and, more particularly, to a locking device for locking vacuum tubes into their sockets.

It has frequently been observed that vacuum tubes installed in radio or other equipment which has to be transported or which is used in a place where there is considerable vibration may finally work themselves out of the sockets into which they are fitted. According to the present invention a simple but emcient means is provided for releasably looking a vacuum tube in its socket.

My invention will best be understood from a consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accomp y drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention completely assembled with a vacuum tube and socket; Fig. 1 shows in partial section an elevation of my invention together with a vacuum tube and socket. with the vacuum tube partly in place: Fig. 3 is a plan view 01 one element of my invention; Fig. 4 is a front elevation of another element oi the invention: and Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the element shown in Fig. 4.

As is well known. vacuum tubes are made in various shapes. I have used as an illustration for my invention its application to a so-called metal tube. As best seen in the elevation in Fig. 2, the tube I has a substantially cylindrical upper portion and a lower base portion 2 of somewhat larger diameter, providing a shoulder t. The tube is customarily fitted into a socket 4 which is usually inserted in an aperture in a metallic chassis plate I. The socket is held in the chassis I by means of a plate I, screws I, washer I and nut I. The vacuum tube is customarily held in the socket by i'riction only, exerted against the prongs It by connecting members in the socket and which ensase these pro s.

Now in order to provide a positive means for locking the vacuum tube in place I secure two elongated mmebers II to the vacuum tube socket in any suitable manner. as, for example, that shown in the drawing which utilizes the same screws I which hold the vacuum tube socket in the chassis. To this end the members II are bent at right angles to iorm a foot I! having an aperture therein through which screw 1 may pass. The members II are each also provided with a projection II which may conveniently be pressed out 0! the member II in the form of a tongue as shown. Preferably two 0! these members II are used, one positioned on each side or the vacuum tube.

I further provide a ring member II which has a'central aperture adapted to slipovertheupper portion of the vacuum tube I and to abut the shoulder I oi the vacuum tube base. Blots ll may becutintotheringasshownini 'lg. 3. These slots preferably have a width equal to that 01' the elongated members I I so that the ring it will pass freely over them. The depth of the slots It is such that the ring will pass over the members I I, when the latter are in their normal positions. until the projections it are reached. The latter project from the members ll only for enough so that when the two members II are pressed together as tar as possible. the vacuum tube being in place, the slots II in the ring it will just clear the projections "and drop below them. The height of the projections ll above the loot positions II is such that when the ring is in its lowest position abutting the shoulder I or the vacuum tube, it will be just below the projections it. Therefore when the members I I are released and return to their normal positions. the ring is and thereby the vacuum tube will be securely locked in place. as shown in Fig. i. To remove the vacuum tube it is then only to press the two members ll together. to remove the ring it and then to remove the vacuum tube in the usual manner.

The members II should be made oi a material sumclently resilient to withstand the required bending when the ring II is being put on or taken ofl.

While I have shown two members ll, one on each side of the vacuum tube, and preier to use two such members tor greater security, it may be sumcient for some purposes to use only one elongated member H and to fit the ring is closely around the vacuum tube.

Another modification which may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention is that the members il may have their projections I! turned inwardly instead oi outwardly as shown and may be spaced tar enough apart to engage the outer circumference oi the ring ii. In this case the members II will be spread apart whenever the ring it is to be locked in place or removed.

While I have illustrated my invention as applied to a metal type of vacuum tube, it is obvious that it may be applied to any vacuum tube which has a lower portion of larger diameter than its upper portion, by making the internal diameter of the ring such that it will bear against the enlarged portion of the tube.

Having now described my invention. what I claim is:

LAloekingdeviceioravacuum tube orthe membersadaptedtobesecuredtoasocketi'or said tube, ring means adapted to ilt closely over said tube and to abut a shoulder on said tube. said ring having slots therein adapted to include said members, and said members having projections extending therefrom adapted to engage an edge of the slots in said ring when said tube is in its socket and said ring is abutting said shoulder and to release said ring when said members are tensioned away from said ring.

2. A locking device tor a vacuum tube having a pronged end adapted to ilt into a socket and being larger in diameter at the pronged end than in other sections of the tube further away thereirom comprising laterally deformable spring latching members mounted on the socket adjacent the tube and extending in the direction or the surface thereof, a ring member having its inner ring diameter large enough to fit over the end or the tube but not over said larger diameter against which said ring may rest, said latching members ensuing the ring on its inner side and exerting lateral spring force against the ring whereby when said ring is brought against said larger diameter of the tube. the latches oi the latching members will operate to clamp said tube to the socket.

3. A locking device for a vacuum tube having a pronged end adapted to fit into a socket and being larger in diameter at the pronged end than in other sections 01 the tube further away there- 8 dikecomnrisingapluraliWetelongstedresilient m c rising ldlaeent the tube and extendinginthedirectionotthesurtaeethereoha ring member having its inner ringdiameter large enoueh to iit over the end of the tube but not over said larger diameter against which said ring may rest. said latching members engaging the ring on its inner side and exerting their spring force againsttheringwherebywhensaidringls brought against said larger diameter of the tube. the latches of the latching members will operate to clamp said tube to the socket. said latching members having suflicient length beyond the latches whereby they may be grasped manually to release the ring for removal of the tube.

Bnnmm M. nsmuson.

REFERENCES CITED The following reieremes are oi record in the iiie oi this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,072,939 Bette Mar. 9. 1937 2,882,428 Leuvelink Aug. 14, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 118,454 Great Britain Apr. 26, 1944 299,776 Germany Sept. 29, 1919 625.392 France Aug. 9, 1927 

